Easy Star Volume One (Easy Star, 1998)

Finally a record label dedicated to the creation of quality modern roots without a hint of the digital dancehall rhythms that dominate today's sound.  And, lo and behold, it all takes place in New York City.  The master behind the production of these nuggets of rootsiness is Michael Goldwasser, AKA Michael G.  Even if all of the songs on this collection aren't great, the production is unwavering, generating a crisp, welcome roots sound.  Most of the artists are not well-known outside of the New York reggae scene, but don't think that this means that the material is inferior.  The biggest names here are The Meditations, Sugar Minott, Sister Carol, and Junior Demus, but with the exception of Sugar Minott, they contribute some of the weaker cuts on the album.  Minott's "Born in the Ghetto (Have Mercy)," with its funky horns and wa-wa guitar, is easily one of his best efforts in the past 5 years, but the other strongest tracks come from relative unknowns like Gary Pine, who is responsible for the best song here, the emotional "Fighting For the Right Thing," its imperial horns blazing it to the top of the heap.  Rob Symeonn adds two impressive tunes, "Delilah" and "Anything For Jah," while Father Sweets grooves over the funky bass line of "Sight of an Eagle."  Rounding out the top cuts are Ossie Dellimore's "Time Has Come" and Ruff Scott's "What Goes Around." Hopefully, Volume 2 will "soon come."